Indonesian Islamic Congress Recommendations: From LGBT Issues to Palestine
The 8th Indonesian Islamic Congress (KUII) VIII has issued a ‘Tausiyah Amanah Kepemimpinan Umat, Bangsa, dan Negara’ (Message of Trust for the Leadership of the Ummah, Nation, and State) containing 11 strategic agendas as recommendations for the government, state institutions, community organisations, and all components of the nation. The message was read by the Head of the Fatwa and Methodology Division of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Buya Gusrizal Gazahar Datuak Palimo Basa, at the closing of KUII VIII at Hotel Bidakara, Jakarta, on Sunday evening.
‘Congress participants have discussed and deliberated in depth, critically, constructively, and provided solutions by seeking the pleasure and help of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, conveying the Tausiyah Amanah Kepemimpinan Umat, Bangsa, dan Negara,’ said Gusrizal.
The results of the discussion were then set out in a message containing 11 main recommendations. The points of the KUII VIII Message are as follows:
First, the congress recommends the reactualisation of Pancasila economics and sharia economics as the mainstream of national development. Concrete steps proposed include the establishment of a sharia-compliant fund, strengthening cooperatives, MSMEs, and Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), agrarian reform, protection of state assets, technological sovereignty, and bureaucratic reform oriented towards people’s welfare.
Second, the congress proposes the establishment of a sharia economic body as a state institution that becomes the centre for developing sharia systems, ecosystems, business, and investment. The institution is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of the ummah in facing the demographic bonus and welcoming Golden Indonesia 2045.
Third, KUII VIII urges the government to strengthen people’s economic empowerment through cooperatives, MSMEs, and sharia economics, and to ensure that national investment policies favour sharia principles and limit oligarchic practices that hinder equitable welfare.
Fourth, the congress calls for a reorientation of the national education system by making faith, piety, and morals the spirit of education. KUII VIII also encourages strengthening the position of pesantren, madrasahs, and religious higher education institutions within the national education system, as well as equitable distribution of education budget support.
Fifth, the congress stresses the importance of mastering science and technology as a prerequisite for national sovereignty. The government is encouraged to strengthen national research, integrate science with Islamic education, and develop technological independence in strategic sectors.
Sixth, the congress expresses concern over the spread of deviant LGBTQ sexual behaviour. KUII VIII supports prevention efforts through a comprehensive approach based on religious values, Pancasila, and laws and regulations, and urges the President and the House of Representatives (DPR) to immediately discuss the Bill on the Prevention and Control of Deviant Sexual Behaviour or LGBTQ.
Seventh, the congress calls for strengthening artificial intelligence (AI) sovereignty and digital sovereignty based on religious values, Pancasila, and ethics to protect society from disinformation, digital manipulation, data exploitation, and moral degradation.
Eighth, KUII VIII emphasises the importance of strengthening family resilience through policies that favour the family institution, character education, protection of women and children, and assistance for individuals facing social and moral problems using a dakwah bil hikmah (wise preaching) approach.
Ninth, the congress calls for strengthening the unity of the Islamic ummah through deliberation, brotherhood, tolerance, joint studies, and inter-institutional communication. The MUI and Islamic mass organisations are expected to strengthen the consolidation of the ummah in facing various national challenges.
Tenth, KUII VIII affirms that morals are social capital for upholding justice. The congress encourages strengthening ethics in the bureaucracy, professions, community organisations, and the business world through the institutionalisation of an ethical justice system.
Eleventh, the congress establishes the strengthening of global diplomacy as a strategic agenda by reaffirming Indonesia’s support for Palestinian independence, strengthening Indonesia’s leadership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OKI) and the Global South, and increasing Indonesia’s representation in various international institutions under the auspices of the OKI.
Closing the reading of the message, KUII VIII affirmed that all these recommendations are a form of moral responsibility of the Islamic ummah in providing solutions to various problems of the nation and state, as well as an effort to realise a more just, advanced, and dignified Indonesia.